Taking supplements is part of the daily regimen of Cubs outfielder Marlon Byrd. It is an integral part of his usual strenuous workouts which include sprinting and boxing. However, the supplements that he was taking come from Victor Conte. The BALCO founder became controversial when he was investigated for illegal distribution of designer steroids to professional athletes including Marion Jones, Shane Mosley and Barry Bonds.

In the interview with HBO’s “Real Sports“, Byrd confirmed his long relationship with Conte. He said that he’s been using the products of Scientific Nutrition for Advanced Conditioning (SNAC) after the major league began testing its players for performance enhancing drugs. The supplement company was established by Conte after federal authorities dismantled the BALCO.

Byrd believes that the supplements of Conte are free from anabolic steroids. “I did my background work,” Byrd said. SNC is the better alternative as compared to a popular supplement company because some of the latter’s products contain ingredients banned by anti-doping authorities. “There was nobody better to go to,” added Byrd.

His long relationship with Conte is based on trust. He is confident that Conte will not give him any supplement that will ruin his career. Conte is considered as the king of designer steroids. “If you wanted to cheat and you wanted to be the best at it, you went to Victor Conte,” Byrd told HBO. “I made the decision to work with him, and I wasn’t worried about it. I know the truth. I know what he does. I know how he’s helped me, and I know I’m clean.”

The Cubs star player has a clean record in the major league. He never tested positive for any steroid or other performance enhancing substances. However, his continuous relationship with Conte will not stop people from asking questions. How can he be so sure that he is not taking steroids?

Byrd already expected this reaction and explained that supplements are different from steroids. “They don’t make you Superman. Steroids make you Superman,” he said. People should know how supplements work and what it can do to the body. “I go out there with the thought process of playing hard, coming in to work out, making sure I have my recovery drinks and making sure I get sleep. The biggest thing for me is mind-set and recovery.” Worrying is not a major concern for him because he knows Conte will not commit the same mistake again.

Team manager Mike Quade is also confident that Byrd knows what he is doing. “I trust my players and trust them do what is right and be ready to perform and he’s done nothing but show me that,” Quade said.

On the other hand, league officials urge players not to use supplements which are not NSF certified. According to Rob Manfred, they already told Byrd about the risks of supplements not approved by the league. He clarified that they are not singling out the company of Conte. “Obviously, Mr. Conte is a high-profile guy with a well-documented history but for any players taking a chance that can put their careers at risk, we apply that policy across the board,” Manfred said.

Though Byrd might be the only baseball player who admitted his ties with Conte, there are still several professional athletes who are not afraid working with Conte. Boxing champ Nonito Donaire also admitted that he’s taking supplements from Conte and believes in the effectiveness of Conte’s training/conditioning program. British sprinter Dwain Chambers is also a client of Conte.

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